Individual cup heater



May 19, 1931. M, 5 CLAWSQN 1,805,716

INDIVIDUAL CUP HEATER Filed NOV. 9, 1929 WWW,

Patented May 1-9, 1931 IVIONROE S. G LAWSON, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY INDZVIDUAL CUP HEATER Application. filed November 9, 1929. Serial No. 405,972.

The invention relates to electrical heating apparatus and has for its general object the provision of a device intended for dining or service table use or for use upon a shelf or the like in a restaurant or other eating place, the device being intended for use in the preparation of hot beverages or other liquids or employed simply for the purpose of keeping such warm after preparation in any 1 manner.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device particularly well adapted and intended for use in holding and heating a bouillon or other cup, a feature being that the device embraces or surrounds the cup, or similar container, closely to conserve the heat and insure the application thereof tothe contents in a rapid and economical manner.

A very important feature of the invention 9 is the provision of a device of this character equipped with a novel switch device preferably of the lever type whereby the position may be readily ascertained even from a distance.

Another object is to provide a combination of this character in which the switch device is provided withmeans for back Wiring, that is to say equipped with a portion or elements beneath which the current carrying cords 3 may be engaged, this detail being of advantage in case the device is used on the edge of a dining or other table, shelf or the like equipped with multiple plugs for operating a plurality of electrical apparatus.

Another important object is the provision of a heater of this character which is of peculiar construction so as to concentrate the heating effect at the bottom of the cup or other container where it will do the most good.

Still another object is to provide a heating device of this character in which the cup enclosing member may be formed of refractory material with resistance coils embedded therein. 7

Yet another object is to provide an electric heater in which the novel and specially constructed switch assembly is detachable, readily, from the heating device itself whenever such is desirable or necessary.

An additional object is to provide a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to make, easy and convenient to use, positive in action, eificient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the complete device showing a cup therein by dot and dash lines,

Figure 2 is a horizontal. cross sectional View taken on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken longitudinally through the switch device and the adjacent portion of the refractory body,

Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional detail view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross section taken on the line 66 of Figure 3, and

Figure 7 is a detail fragmentary cross section taken on the line ':'-7 of Figure 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawhave shown my device compris n shell-like body member 10 of insulating terial referably of a refractory nature and preferably shaped to conform fairly closely to the contour of the cup, dish or other receptacle containing a liquid or other substance to be heated. In the present instance his shell 10 is shown as of substantially semi-spherical shape for use in connection with and adapted to receive and enclose a cup A, shown dot and dash lines in Figures l and 2, though there is no restriction as to the exact shape. As the cup is provided with a handle B this shell is represented as formed with a slot l1 for the accommodation thereof. The major portion of the shell 10 may be relatively thin but the bottom or base portion is thickened as shown at 1.2 and has emltiedded therein a coil 18 of resistance wire which will generate heat when current is to some extent and this extended portion is peculiarly constructed for connection of switch device therewith. As the device is intended particularly for use on a table, shelf or equivalent support, I prefer to utilize a clamp which may be formed simply as an elongated metal strip 14 having one end curled baclrwardly upon itself as shown at 15 and terminating in a curved end 16 adapter to engage against the underside of the shelf or table upon which the heater is placed. Embracing the strip 14 and a reduced extension 17 on the base of the shell 10 is a metallic member 18 upon which is a block 19 of insulating material upon the opposite sides of which lire suitably secured rec ient contacts :20 and 21 connected with the terminals of the resistance coil 13. The metal member 18 preferably and is here shown as formed irh downturned ends 22 projecting beyond the sides of the strip 1 lfor a purpose to be described.

in connection with this heating unit comprised by the shell 10 and resistance coil embedded in the bottom tl'iereof, I provide a novel control switch device indicated a whole by the numeral :23. This is represented as comprising a metal casing '24 which may be formed of any desired number of pieces secured together in any suitable manner. Located within this casing at the opposi' sides thereof are blocks or pieces 25 and 26 of insulating material against the confronting faces of which are secured contacts 2? and 28 of a resilient nature adapted to engage outwardly of andagainst the contacts 20 and 21 respectively. A. binding screw 29 is provided forthe contact 28 and connected therewith is one of the current carrying con-v ductors or cords 30. At their rear ends. that i is the end mostremote from the sue i 10, tle contacts 27 and 28 are held in spacel i Mi tion by a block 31 of insulating material. 'l he contacts 27 and 28 are of angular shape ant have upstanding extensions 3 and 32, the

former being held by screws ('53 or the luv.

On this extension is formed a contact arm' 34 which extends toward the contact 28 but which is prevented from engagement there with by insulating materlal 35 whichmay be a part of the block 26 or which may be a separate piece secured thereto, this detail being immaterial. I also provide a contact 36 secured as by screws 87 and 38 to the block 25 and having; a curvedend S9 opposite to and spaced from the contact arm 34. A second current carrying Wire or cord 40 enters the switch casing and connects with the screw 38. Pivoted within the casing, as

upon a transverse pin41, is a lever limovthe contacts and 39 or to ie out of obsecured v case may be.

structing relation thereto. This lever is formed of insulating material, such asfiber but it will be clear that when itis at one limit of its movement occupying a position between the contacts 34 and 39 the electrical conned tion to the contact 27 will be broken whereas when the leveris at the other limit of its movement the contacts 34 and 39 will engage and complete the circuit through the heating coil. Y

F or securing this switch structure 23with respect to the heating shell 10and the metal strip ll, the latter is shown as provided with theretoand to define flanges 117 engaging beneath the clamping plate elf). "lhe forward portion of the casing and the blocks 25 and 26 therein are cut away as clearly shown in igure 3 for the accommodation of the metallic member 18 and the insulating block 19 so that when the switch device, as an assembly, is in its finalposition with the contacts 27 and 28 embracing the contacts 20 and 21 the inner end of the casing will abut against the end of the thickened portion of the base of the heating shell.

Another feature is the provision at the top of the switch device of a pair of holes 48 within which may be inserted the: terminal tips, not shown, of a cigar lighter or the like,

the intention being that these tips be brought into engagement with the upstand ng pertionsof the contacts 27 and 28 so that the cigar lighter would be in parallel with the heating coil.

The conductors or cords 30 and 10 may eX- itend-straight out, as shown 1n Figures 1 and vmultiple plug or soclret device at the center of the table or atthe back ofa shell as the lVhen the device is used the clamp or clip 15 isengaced upon the edge of the table or shell, the switch assembly 23 of course being secured in place with 'resyiiect to the clamp and heating shell-by the means above described. T he one or other article to be heatedis placed w hin the shell 10 and the current is turned on by the simple expedi ent of movingthe lever 42 toward the shell, thus permitting the contacts and to engage each other. Current will then flow from the conductor 30, contact 28, contact 21, re ance coil 13,'-contact 20. contact 27, extension 32, contact 34, contact o9, screw 38. and con ductor 1O backto the source. 'lhehcat cnerated by passage'of the current through the coil 13 will of course be transmitted or conducted to and through the cup or other receptacle so that the contents thereof will be. heated. Owing to the particular type of switch it will be readily seen at a glance whether the current is turned on or ed as the lever position will. 'ive this indication. A cigar lighter or the like may be operated at any time regardless of the position of the switch as the current therefor is taken oil in advance of the switch. If for any reason it is desirable to disconnect the parts, it is merely necessary to loosen the screws 44 which will release the clamping action of the plate 45 whereupon the switch may he slid along the strip 14 toward the clamping end thereof and with the contacts QT and 28 sliding off from the contacts 20 and 2]..

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawing it will be apparent th at I have thus provided a very simply constructed, inexpensii e and easily operated and controlled heating device by means of which individual cups or other containers may 3e heated for any desired purpose. It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exemplification of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction will widen the field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. An electric heating device comprising a shell of insulating material having a thickened base portion, a resistant coil embedded within said base portion, a metallic supporting member mounted beneath and secured to said base portion, and a switch assembly slidablv detachably mounted on said metallic member and electrically connected with said coil.

2. An electric heating device compris ng a shell of insulating material having a thickened base portion, a resistance coil embedded within said base portion, a metallic supporting member mounted beneath and secured to said base portion, a switch assembly mounted on said metallic member and electrically connected with said coil, said switch assembly being enclosed within a housing having a slot in its bottom, securing elements passing upwardlv through said metallic member andreceived within said slot, and a clamping plate through which said screws pass overlying the material at the side of the slot for clamping the switch assembly in place.

3. A device'of the character described con1- prising a shell member of insulating material havin a base provided with a. resistance coil embedded therein, said base having a reduced extension, a metallic member underlying said base and formed as a clamp, a metallic member embracing the-first named metallic member and the reduced extension, a block of in sulating material on said second named metallic member, contacts secured on the sides of said block, and a switch assembly det chably mounted upon said first named metallic member and embodying spaced contacts slidably engaging said first named contacts.

A device of the character described co1n prising a shell member of insulating material having a base provided witha resistance coil embedded therein, said base having a reduced extension, a metallic member underlying said base and formed as a clamp, a metallic menu ber embracing the first named metallic mem her and the reduced extension, a block of insulatingmaterial on said second named metallic member, contacts secured on the sides of said block, a switch assembly detachably mounted upon said first named metallic member and embodying spaced contacts slidably engaging said first named contacts, the switch assembly including a casing having a slotin its bottom extending to one end, screws carried by the first named metallic member and received within said slot, and a clamping plate carried by the screws and overlying the bot tom of the casing at the sides of the slot.

5. A device of the character described comprising a shell member of insulating material having a base provided with a resistance coil embedded therein, said base having a reduced evtension, a metallic member underlying said base and formed as a clamp, a metallic member embracing the first named metallic member and the reduced extension, a block of insulating material on said second named metallic member, contacts secured on the sides of said block, a switch assembly detachal'ily mounted upon said first named metallic member and embodying spaced contacts slidablv engaging said first named contacts, the switch assembly having conductors extending therefrom, and said second named metallic member having laterally extending hook portions beneath which the conductors may be engaged. 1

6. In a device of the character described, a switch device comprising a casing, mem bers of insulating material disposed against the inner sides thereof, contacts secured against the confronting faces of said insulating members, said contacts being provided at one end with upstanding extensions and one having a conductor connectedthereto, the other having a contact arm projecting therefrom, a third contact secured against one of said insulating members and normally tendmg to engage said contact arm, and a lever of insulating material pivoted at oneend within the casing and having its other end pro]ect1ng therebeyond with its lntermediate portion adapted to engage between and sepagainst the confronting faces of said insu-' lating' members, said contacts being provided at one end with upstanding extensions and one having a conductor connected there to, the otherliaving a contact arm projecting therefrom, a third contact secured against one of said insulating members and normally tending to engage said contact arm, and a lever of insulating material pivoted at one end within the casing and having its other end projecting therebeyond with its intermediate portion adapted to engage between and saparate the last named contact from said contact arm, the top of the casing being formed with holes opposite said extensions adapted to receive the terminal tips of an appliance with the tips engaging said ex tensions. g

8. An electric heating device for a drinking vessel comprising a concavo-convex shell of ceramic material having a thickened base portion, a resistance coil embedded within said base portion, contacts projecting beyond said base portion andconnected to the terminals of said coil, a metallic supporting member secured to the bottom of said base portion,

and switch assembly slidably mounted on said metallic member and having contacts engageable with said first named contacts.

.9. An electric heating device comprising a shell of insulating material having a base portion with a resistance coil embedded therein, contacts secured on said base portion and connected with the terminals of said coil, a supporting member mounted beneath and secured to said base portion and projecting therebeyond, and a switch assembly en closed within a housing slidably mounted on said supporting member and including contacts .engageable with said first named contacts. 1

I 10. Anelectric heating device comprising a shell of insulatingmaterial having a base portion with a resistance coil embedded therein, contacts secured on said base portion and connectedwith the terminals of said coil, a supporting member mounted beneath and secured to said base portion and projecting therebeyond, a switch assembly enclosed within a housing slidably mounted on said supporting member and including contacts engageable with said first named con tacts, and means for securing said housing against movement along said supporting member. r

-11. Anelectric heatmg device comprising shell of insulating material having abase portion with a resistance COll embedded thereln, contacts secured on said base portlon downwardly curved portions constituting retaming means for back wiring.

in testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MONROE s. cL'AwsoN. 

